Improvement in axes



T.K. DOW-NIM@ i Axe.

No. 202,159. Patented April l9, :8.78.

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UNITED STATES PATE-NT y FFICE.'

THoMAs K. DoWNING, oF oKoLoNA, MISSISSIPPI.

IMPROVEMENT IN AXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,159, dated April 9, 1878; application tiled March 29, 1878. v

To all whom'zt may con-cem: l

Be it known that I, THOMAS K. DOWNING, of Okolona, in the county of Chickasaw and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which they appertain tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view of the ax complete, the dotted lines showing the position occupied by the tongue ot" the bit within the poll. Fig.Zrepresentsasection on theline 'x of Fig. l. A

This invention relates, principally, to that class of axes inv common use for felling trees,

and the various other purposes to which an ax having a comparatively short cuttmg-edge may be applied, and commonly called choping or narrow axes vto distinguish them from those used for hewing timber by ship and house carpenters, and which are known as broad-axes.

It is well. known that the edge portion of the ax, called the bit, which is made of steel,is thep'art-which quickly wears out or breaks, while the poll, or part that receives the handle, and which is commonly made of iron,

to which the steel bit is-welded, is compara- -rlhe poll A of the ax is formed, in the usualv manner, of wrought metal, or it may be, if it is desired to form a cheap ax for light work, cast from what is commonly called malleable metal, or erucible steel may be used,

the material being unimportant so long as it.

possesses the requisite strength and durability. rlhrough this poll is formed a hole, B,

forthe reception of a' handle, and adjacent to this is the dovete-il recess, passing from the inner side of the ax nearly to its outer edge, but leaving a rib, a, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l, connecting the two vsides b b of the projecting parts of the hole forming the doveta-il recess.

The bit D of the ax is formed of steel, in the usual Inanner, except that instead of being chamfered, so as to be readily welded to the poll, the part farthest from the cutting edge is given the form of a dovetail tongue, c, exactly fitting the recess formed for its reception in the poll. In order to prevent its accidental removal, a screw, d, is inserted into an orifice in one side of the poll, passing through it, also through the dovetail tongue c, and screwing into the opposite side of the poll, thus securely holding the parts together. A rivet may be used in place of the screw, but is more difficult to remove when it is desired to exchange the worn-out or broken bit for a new one.

I am aware thataxes and hatchets have been made by forming a tongue upon the steel bit and casting the metal forming the poll about it; also, that a square mortise has been made in the poll, and the tongue of the bit thrust into it; but -these methods ot' construction have been .found impracticable when applied to chopping-axes, as the first lacked in strength, while the last formed an implement of such a bungling shape as to rendcrits use or sale almost impossible.

lhe advantages possessed by my axesover those formed in one piece are many, and especially recommend it to the emigrant aml others whose work or habitation is far removed from the ordinary marts ot' trade, asby the use of asingle poll and half a dozen tit-ted bits he may dispense with the use ot' sharpening devices for a long time, and always have a tool ready for ecient work.

llaving thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters latent, the following:

1. An ax composed of a poll providedwith a hole for the reception otl a handle, and a dovetail recess extending nearly across the WW. WWWWW width of the poll, and receiving the corre- In testimony that claiim the foregoing as u spondingly-sheped tongue of a removable bit, my own I hereunto a'fx my signature. in pres as and for the purpose set forth. ence of two witnesses. i

2. The aX-poll provided with the dovetail THOMAS K. DOVNING.

recess and edge-connection a, in combination Witnesses: i

with the bit D, having a tongue, o', and the vJ AMES M. HIGHTOWER seour-ingsorew d, substantially as specified. J. W. BUCHANAN. 

